Emantic “E.J." Bradford was fatally shot by Hoover police on Nov. 22 just before 10 p.m. Police were responding to gunfire in the Riverchase Galleria mall, where two others were injured. Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney hired by the Bradford family, said at a news conference Monday that 21-year-old Bradford was shot three times from behind while he was running away.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, the national civil rights activist who also spoke at Bradford’s funeral, was present at the press conference with Crump and Birmingham-based attorneys Rodney Barganier and Frankie Lee. After an introductory prayer by Jackson, Crump revealed the findings of a private medical examination review and a illustrated version of Bradford’s injuries.

The review was conducted by the chief forensic pathologist for the Washington D.C. area Dr. Roger Mitchell, Crump said. Mitchell met with Chief Medical Examiner of Jefferson County Dr. Gregory Davis and reviewed all autopsy photographs and directly observed the body.

The results of that review, as provided by Crump and Baraganier, show Bradford was shot three times: Once in the head, once in the neck, and once in the back. The bullets all entered the 21-year-old’s body from the back, the report showed. Mitchell also noted in the report that each of the three bullets entered the body at a slightly upward angle.

“There is a laceration of the right side of the face at the eyebrow consistent with falling face forward on the right side of the head,” Crump wrote in a document provided at the news conference. “The cause of death is gunshot wound of the head. The manner of death is homicide.”

Hoover police initially described Bradford as the mall gunman, but later said they were wrong and Bradford was likely not the person who wounded an 18-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl. Police said Bradford was brandishing a handgun moments after the shooting, which increased the threat for officers.

Crump said last week that the family hired a pathologist to perform the independent “preliminary anatomical review.” The exam was performed on Nov. 30, the report states.

Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis announced Monday morning just before Crump’s press conference that details of the deadly shooting, including police body camera footage or mall surveillance video, will not be released by police at this time.

The news from Hoover comes after Hoover city councilor Derrick Murphy last week called for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to release information and footage of the Galleria incident. Murphy, along with Derzis and Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato, had said the city may release details of the shooting if ALEA did not.

“Hoover officials are respecting the requests of ALEA to not release any information at the risk of compromising the justice process for everyone involved,’’ Derzis said in a statement.

AP

Attorney Ben Crump discusses the results of a forensic examination on Emantic "EJ" Bradford Jr., who was fatally shot by police in a shopping mall on Thanksgiving day, during a news conference in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018. Crump, who represents Bradford's family, says a report shows the 21-year-old black man suffered three gunshot wounds to the back side of his body. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)

Crump said in response to the statement from Hoover that he and the Bradford family were trying to believe the investigation was remaining transparent. “We are trying very hard to take them at their word. But it’s very difficult for this father and this family after they were lied to before. And so with all the expressions of condolences and sympathy it is still very difficult,” Crump said.

He urged Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr to, once the investigation is complete, charge the officer who fired the fatal shot.

Bradford’s father and uncle also spoke, calling for justice and for the officer who shot Bradford to be charged with murder.

Hoover police responded to Crump’s press conference. "We encourage Attorney Benjamin Crump and the Bradford family to submit the Preliminary Anatomical Review to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) so this new information becomes a part of the official investigation.

"We couldn’t agree more with Attorney Crump’s call for a thorough and complete investigation and for witnesses to come forward to assist in the search for the truth. We also agree with his call to refrain from speculation until the investigation is completed. Our sympathies are with the Bradford family as they, the community, and the City of Hoover, await ALEA’s complete investigation.

“To ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we’re continuing to respect ALEA’s request to not release further information. We want everyone who lives in, works in or visits Hoover to know that we are committed to the safety of our city, to healing from these tragic events and to the transparency of the ongoing investigation.”

WARNING: Graphic content is discussed in this live video. Attorneys say the private autopsy report shows E.J. Bradford was shot three times from behind: in his head, neck and near his right hip. Emantic “E.J” Bradford’s family and their attorney Ben Crump held a press conference Monday morning to discuss the findings of a private autopsy.